Baked beans are a must-have dish at any cookout or barbecue. These slow cooker beans use pantry staple ingredients and cook in that old-fashioned slightly sweet and smoky sauce that everyone enjoys. These beans can be made ahead of time, are freezer-friendly, and taste even better the next day!
Growing up, baked beans were a staple at any summer party and potluck. I always loved the sweet, tangy, maple-y flavor of baked beans, and often went back for seconds or thirds. (Much like Broccoli Salad or Creamy Coleslaw!)
I don’t know if those casserole dishes were cans of Heinz baked beans or Bushes baked beans doctored up with some bacon or onion, or if they were truly made from scratch…
… but either way, I’ve created my own go-to recipe that not only reminds me of my childhood but my friends and family keep coming back for seconds and thirds too!
Homemade Slow Cooker Beans Recipe
My homemade recipe is BEYOND easy, as every summer recipe should be. We’re using simple pantry staple ingredients, basic seasonings you can tweak to fit YOUR taste buds, and a flexible recipe that can be made for vegans and meat-eaters alike.
Plus, we’re using the slow cooker, so you don’t even have to be home to make them!
These easy beans can be made ahead of time, frozen for later, and easily doubled (or halved).
We’ve found that leftovers are especially delicious, and we add sliced all-beef hot dogs (from ALDI or Butcher Box) for homemade beans and weenies for lunch. Add some Homemade Cornbread Muffins and it’s like my childhood all over again!
Ingredients for the Best Baked Beans Recipe
The list of ingredients may look intimidating, but most of this list is spices you already have.
- Canned Navy Beans or Great Northern Beans
- Spices: Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Salt, Black Pepper
- Chicken Stock (or vegetable stock for vegans)
- Ketchup
- Mustard (yellow mustard or dijon, spicy mustard if you want a kick!)
- Maple Syrup
- Tomato Paste
- Molasses
- Bacon (optional, omit for vegan or vegetarian)
A Healthy Baked Beans Recipe?
The fact that this healthy recipe doesn’t include brown sugar should already make it stand out against other traditional baked bean recipes. Don’t worry though – it’s still sweet enough to know you’re having Boston baked beans, but not so sweet that they’re teetering the line of dessert.
You can make it even healthier by ensuring your ketchup doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup, your maple syrup is actually maple syrup (not pancake syrup), and your beans don’t have any unnecessary ingredients.
Plus if you think about the nutrients in beans, you’re making a savory side dish full of protein and fiber!
Some recipes include finely chopped onions and bell peppers in the bean mixture. Be adventurous if you choose!
Canned Baked Beans vs. Baked Beans from Dry Beans
I like to stock up on canned beans when they’re on sale, making this canned baked beans recipe an easy side dish for when you have no idea what to make.
If you want to make this recipe from dried beans, you’ll need to cook your beans first and then continue with the recipe as written. I recommend either my Slow Cooker Beans or my Instant Pot Beans tutorial.
What Kind of Beans are in Baked Beans?
I really like the flavor of navy and great northern beans in my recipe, but red kidney beans, pink kidney beans, pinto beans, and “small white beans” are also good options. Feel free to use all of one kind of bean or mix/match a variety of beans.
How to Make My Recipe for Slow Cooker Beans From Scratch
I’m outlining my recipe using the slow cooker. Keep reading for making this recipe using the oven and Instant Pot.
Step 1: Drain and rinse the canned beans at least three times. This will help eliminate the oligosaccharides, which are difficult for people to digest and often lead to bloating and gas.
Step 2: Cook bacon (if using), drain the bacon drippings and set aside for later, and dice the bacon into small pieces.
Step 3: Combine the beans, bacon, and the remaining ingredients in a slow cooker, stir well, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Do not disturb the beans while they are cooking!
Step 4: Gently stir the beans and taste. Adjust the seasonings and spices if you want it sweeter (maple syrup), more tomato-y (ketchup or tomato paste), more tangy (mustard), or smokier (smoked paprika).
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Recipe (in the Oven)
Follow steps 1 through 3 above, except combine the ingredients in a Dutch oven rather than a crock pot. Bake the beans at 325F for about 2 hours or until the sauce thickens like pancake syrup. A baking dish can also be used; be sure to cover it with aluminum foil.
BBQ Recipe (in the Instant Pot)
Follow steps 1 through 3 above, except cook the bacon on the Instant Pot saute function. Then combine the ingredients in an Instant Pot rather than a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.
FAQs for Slow Cooker Beans
Can baked beans be made ahead of time?
Yes! This slow cooker recipe tastes even better when it’s made ahead of time. You can make it the day before and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight, or you can make it several days or weeks ahead of time and store them in the freezer.
What pairs well with baked beans?
This side dish is a requirement for summer dishes, making them pair well with burgers, potato salad, and pasta salad.
What’s the difference between baked Boston beans and Heinz baked beans (or Bushes baked beans)?
The traditional recipe uses brown sugar as the sweetener, while Boston baked beans rely on molasses. I opted to skip the brown sugar and use maple syrup instead, but also added a bit of molasses for that depth of flavor.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Meal Plan
Sign up to get instant access to my Slow Cooker Meal Plan, complete with recipes and shopping list!!Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Baked beans are a must-have dish at any cookout or barbecue. These slow cooker beans use pantry staple ingredients and cook in that old-fashioned slightly sweet and smoky sauce that everyone enjoys. These beans can be made ahead of time, are freezer-friendly, and taste even better the next day!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours
- Total Time: 24 minute
- Yield: serves 14 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ¼ – ½ lb bacon (optional)
- 4 cans navy or great northern beans, drained and rinsed well
- 1–½ cups chicken stock
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp mustard (yellow or spicy brown)
- 3–4 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 ½ tsp molasses
- 2 Tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Drain and rinse the canned beans at least three times. This will help eliminate the oligosaccharides, which are difficult for people to digest and often lead to bloating and gas.
2. Cook bacon (if using), drain the bacon drippings and set aside for later, and dice the bacon into small pieces.
3. Combine the beans, bacon, and the remaining ingredients in a slow cooker, stir well, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Do not disturb the beans while they are cooking!
4. Gently stir the beans and taste. Adjust the seasonings and spices if you want it sweeter (maple syrup), more tomato-y (ketchup or tomato paste), more tangy (mustard), or smokier (smoked paprika).
Notes
Grandma’s Old Fashioned Baked Beans (in the Oven)
- Follow steps 1 through 3 above, except combine the ingredients in a Dutch oven rather than a crock pot. Bake the beans at 325F for about 2 hours or until the sauce thickens like pancake syrup. A baking dish can also be used; be sure to cover it with aluminum foil.
BBQ Baked Beans Recipe (in the Instant Pot)
- Follow steps 1 through 3 above, except cook the bacon on the Instant Pot saute function. Then combine the ingredients in an Instant Pot rather than a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.
Nutrition
- Calories: 118
Keywords: baked beans
Leave a Comment